Trevor Henry stole the show with a pair of big upsets while sophomores Ghost Dance and Talbotcreekwhiskey impressed in their respective assignments on a mild and foggy Thursday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Fog began to build around the sixth race and that seemed to be the cue for Henry to turn up the heat.
The Arthur, Ont. reinsman steered the Scott McEneny-trained three-year-old pacing filly Color Envy to a 40-1 score in the evening’s $15,000 seventh race.
Color Envy had been winless in five starts this season prior to her Thursday victory. It was the second career win in start 14 for the McEneny student.
A $2 win ticket on Color Envy returned $83.20
It didn’t seem likely Henry would be able to top that surprising outcome, but that’s exactly what he did in the $18,000 eighth race.
Henry and four-year-old trotter Vesuvio Bi got away sixth in the early stages before disappearing into the fog.
The thick fog made it almost impossible to track the field, but when the trotters emerged in deep stretch, Henry and Vesuvio Bi were surging by rivals for a 75-1 stunning upset.
The Martin Lachance trainee was 1-for-5 on the season entering Thursday’s start.
Vesuvio Bi, who was making his first Woodbine start of the season, returned $152.60 for a $2 win ticket.
The payout of $152.60 is the biggest win price of the 2018 Woodbine Entertainment season. The previous biggest upset came last Saturday from pacer Freddy Bear, who surprised at 60-1 ($122.20).
Henry’s two wins Thursday give him 12 on the season at Woodbine Mohawk Park, which ranks third in the drivers’ standings.
Thursday evening’s card also featured several Pepsi North America Cup eligible three-year-old pacers in action.
Eric Adams trainee Ghost Dance capitalized off sizzling fractions from Beachin Lindy to win his 2018 debut in 1:51.2. Mike Saftic steered the son of American Ideal to the victory for owner/breeder Millar Farms.
Ghost Dance sat third throughout most of the mile, while Beachin Lindy hung up fractions of :25.4, :54.3 and 1:23.
In the lane, Life Happened angled from the two-hole and got by Beachin Lindy, but couldn’t fight off Ghost Dance, who powered by for a three-quarter length victory.
Ghost Dance had turned in two solid qualifying efforts prior to Thursday’s start in a conditioned event. The Adams trainee won two of five starts last season, including a New York Sires Stakes division.
Another Pepsi North America Cup eligible to visit the winner’s circle Thursday was Luc Blais trainee Talbotcreekwhiskey.
The gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere rebounded from his first career defeat by capturing a conditioned event in 1:52.1.
Bob McClure moved Talbotcreekwhiskey from fifth to first in the second-quarter and never looked back. The Blais trainee paced on to win by a length and a half.
Owned by Determination, Talbotcreekwhiskey is now 4-for-5 in his first season of racing. The clocking of 1:52.1 knocked more than three-seconds off his previous best.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)